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Spurs vs West Ham - patience the key for JD

Posted on 4 October 2013
- 17:17

Jermain Defoe feels we might have to play the patience game again when we face West Ham on Sunday.

That was certainly the case in Thursday night's Europa League encounter against Anji in Russia, where we dominated but had to wait until the 35th minute for a first clear-cut chance that JD finished clinically.

Five minutes later Nacer Chadli slotted home for 2-0 and we were well on our way to victory.

Recently, we had to wait until the final seconds of added time before Paulinho grabbed the winner after we had chance after chance at Cardiff City.

West Ham are next and travel to the Lane having conceded just five goals in six matches in the Premier League so far this term - although they've also gone five without a win.

"It's another London derby and they are always difficult," said Jermain, whose strike in Russia put him one behind all-time European goalscorer Martin Chivers.

"A lot of teams will come to the Lane, sit back and make it difficult for us. But with the way we’re playing and the new lads who have come in, many great players, we’ll try to get an early goal and if not, we'll be patient and I’m sure it will come at some point.

"We’re keeping clean sheets, so we’re solid as well. Hopefully we’ll get three points because it’s looking good at the moment.

"Everyone is confident. We're winning games, not conceding goals, so I can’t see why we can’t win that one at home. It’s my old club, so I’m looking forward to it. Three points would be ideal."

Like his team-mates, JD's thoughts on Thursday night's 2-0 win against Anji amounted to 'job done'.

"There wasn’t a lot of space on the pitch, conditions were not the best, the pitch cut up and we couldn’t pass it as we wanted to, so we did well considering," added Jermain.

"It was a good win. If you want to progress you have to come to places like this and get a result. It was never going to be easy. The lads enjoyed it and that winning mentality is always good."